Law enforcement officials investigate the scene at the Promenade on the Peninsula in Rolling Hills Estates where a woman was found stabbed to death Thursday afternoon in the parking structure of the shopping mall. (Photo by Nathan Percy/Daily Breeze-SCNG)

Officials ask for the public’s help for information regarding the Rolling Hills Estates stabbing victim. Susan Leeds is shown in security footage the day she was killed at the Promenade on the Peninsula mall. (Photo courtesy of Los Angeles County Sheriffs)

Detectives presented their case against Townsend to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, but prosecutors asked law enforcement to “conduct further investigation,” according to Sarah Ardalani, a public information officer with the District Attorney’s Office.

Townsend, who had been jailed in lieu of $2 million bail, was released Tuesday morning without having to post bail, according to the Sheriff’s Department, which earlier had issued a statement that said “the general public has come forward and provided additional information in this case which has been followed up appropriately.”

“The focus of our investigation has absolutely not changed. The investigation has progressed,” according to the Sheriff’s Department.

“It is not unusual for prosecutors to request additional information and we are confident this homicide case is moving forward. Investigators also had the opportunity to obtain key statements from a suspect and collect physical evidence that is now undergoing rigorous forensic examination at an LASD crime lab.”

After Townsend’s arrest, Sheriff Jim McDonnell said at a news conference Friday at the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles that the motive for the crime was believed to be robbery, and that investigators believed the victim was “randomly chosen” and was not known by her killer.

City officials in Rolling Hills Estates continue to ask the public for patience in the investigation.

“Effective justice depends on a thorough investigation,” said Mayor Britt Huff in a statement. “I urge patience, and I have confidence in the ongoing investigative process being undertaken by the DA and Sheriff. Meanwhile, the Sheriff’s Department continues to emphasize that there is no ongoing threat to the Palos Verdes Peninsula community connected to this case.”

Townsend’s vehicle — a gold 2008 Chevrolet Malibu — had been parked on the same floor, McDonnell said, noting then that there was still a “tremendous amount of investigative work” to be done and asking anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity around the two vehicles that day to contact detectives.

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“There were items taken from the scene that led us to believe it was a robbery as well as additional follow-up evidence,” sheriff’s Capt. Chris Bergner told reporters. “The physical evidence is what helped lead us to a suspect, but there’s still a lot of physical evidence to process — both physically process and forensically process.”

McDonnell has said investigators have not ruled out the possibility that one or more other suspects may have been involved.

“Our homicide investigators still believe that this remains an isolated incident in a historically safe community,” according to the sheriff’s department statement. “As a measure of reassurance, the LASD has increased visibility of their deputies in this case.”

Investigators renewed their call for anyone who was at the mall between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on May 3 to come forward. Information can be provided by calling Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau Detectives Quintero or Austin at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.